Friday, July 16, 2010

Artist retreat...

What fun to have friends who are creative, gifted, and downright smart.

Professional artists who are on your short list of favorites.

And even better, imagine yourself with those dear friends on a creative retreat where every day is packed with lessons from those pros, food that's as gorgeous as it tastes, and scenery to make your eyes bug out.

Here's the circle of artists who came to the retreat...

(click on a name to see her website!)

Barb Tourtillotte, a multifaceted watercolor artist who has been my travel buddy for ages and one of the people I most adore and admire. One peek at her website and you'll know who has been designing many of the products you see in the stores.

Susan Eaddy, the most gifted clay artist / illustrator imaginable. Susan has a heart of gold, and nimble fingers, too. Look for her book, Papa Fish's Lullabye, for children. Susan allowed me sneak peeks at two of the books she's working on. I can hardly wait to buy them!

Brenda Pinnick is one of the most widely recognized names in the crafting industry. One peek and you'll know why her images have sold like hotcakes. Brenda's a color maven and a dynamite cook, too.

Kristen Tourtillotte is one of photography's fastest rising stars. This young artist-with-her-camera knocks your socks off with her ability to capture feeling and a sense of her subjects' personality. Her specialty is weddings and I'm convinced that she can make anyone look great.

We started out at Pike Place Market, where there is eye candy everywhere you look...

I was not the only artist snapping photos wildly...

We finished up with seafood at Ivar's, where we ate outdoors and had new friends wanting to join us for a quick bite...

Tomorrow I'll begin to show you peeks at how we've spent the artful retreat, and share a few how-to's.

Because my home and studio served as home base the first evening we headed north under dramatic skies.

5 comments:

Hi Sharyn~ What fun it looks like you ladies had! I love this blog entry hearing about all you did. It sounds amazing to get together with neat, creative women and just do cool artsy stuff! HOW WONDERFUL! Your new friend, Jenny

Yes, Jenny, we had a fabulous time. I'll be posting ideas for things we did so hopefully you can call a few of your best friends and do something similar. Everyone just stayed at my house and we did things near home so it was loads of fun but you don't have to go somewhere exotic at all. How fun to have a new friend! Hope to know you better!

Yes, Jenny, we had a fabulous time. I'll be posting ideas for things we did so hopefully you can call a few of your best friends and do something similar. Everyone just stayed at my house and we did things near home so it was loads of fun but you don't have to go somewhere exotic at all. How fun to have a new friend! Hope to know you better!

Sharyn...This is so amazing!!! I am sooooooo jealous. I wish i could have been at this. I did have some fun in Atlanta seeing some of the other sweet great artist pals, however this looks like a bit of paradise.

It was lovely, Sue! Exhausting but just drop dead amazing. I will post photos about our five hour kayak trip next. We were out in the San Juan Islands paddling like crazy among the bald eagles, moon jellies, starfish and a lot lot lot of kelp. Sadly no whales but it was awesome anyway.

How was your flight? I know you were a little nervous about it. Hope it was a stellar trip for you.